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ATLETICO MADRID secured their spot in the Europa League semi-finals despite suffering a 1-0 defeat to Sporting.

Colombian ace Fredy Montero bagged the only goal of the evening, but Diego Simeone's side were saved by their two-goal advantage from the first leg.

 Atletico players celebrating after the final whistle at Estadio Jose Alvalade
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Atletico players celebrating after the final whistle at Estadio Jose AlvaladeCredit: REUTERS

Sebastian Coates came close to opening the scoring for the home side, but Jan Oblak pulled off a world class save to tip the strike over the bar.

Sporting's persistence paid off and Fredy Montero broke the deadlock after 28 minutes to breathe life into the quarter-final.

A delivery into the box found the 30-year-old at the back post and the Colombian headed the ball over Oblak and into the net.

Diego Costa was replaced by Fernando Torres in the second half after appearing to pick up an injury after falling to the ground.

 Fernando Torres and Saul Niguez after the final whistle
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Fernando Torres and Saul Niguez after the final whistleCredit: REUTERS
 Fredy Montero broke the deadlock with a header after 28 minutes of action
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 Fredy Montero broke the deadlock with a header after 28 minutes of actionCredit: EPA
 Ex-Chelsea star Diego Costa races forward with possession
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Ex-Chelsea star Diego Costa races forward with possessionCredit: REUTERS

And the ex-Liverpool ace looked although he was going to score the equaliser just moments after being introduced, but his shot flew wide of the woodwork.

Antoine Griezmann delivered a ball up the pitch to put Torres through on goal, but Coates dived in to heroically block the shot.

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The France international then gets his own shot at glory, but once again the La Liga side fail to find the equaliser.

After breaking through the wall of defenders, Griezmann was through on goal, but he fired his strike straight into goalkeeper Rui Patricio.

 The Colombian buried his header from the back post
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The Colombian buried his header from the back postCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Fernando Torres challenging for a head with Rodrigo Battaglia
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Fernando Torres challenging for a head with Rodrigo BattagliaCredit: REUTERS

After a handful of missed chances, Atletico's efforts in the second half went unrewarded as the game finished 1-0.

The La Liga side will now face either RB Salzburg, Marseille or Arsenal in the semi-finals of the competition.

 Koke in action against Marcos Acuna at the Estadio Jose Alvalade
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Koke in action against Marcos Acuna at the Estadio Jose AlvaladeCredit: REUTERS
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